"Elderly care at Warrington General Hospital"

My Mother was recently admitted to Warrington, and was put on Ward A8. The staff are lovely, unfortunately there are not enough of them. My Mum was put in incontinence pads from day one on the ward, even though she was continent, but unable to walk to the toilet at the time. When she buzzed for a bed pan or commode, she was told to do it where she was (in bed) as she was wearing a pad.

I asked a member of staff about this and I was informed my Mum was incontinent. She wasnt! The staff shortage is a major issue, but to rob an elderly lady of her dignity at a time when she is already poorly, is simply cruel.

Out of the 6 ladies in Mum's bay on Ward A8, 5 were put in these pads, only 1 lady truly needed them. Its seems if you are over the age of 60, its routine.

I have since spoken to someone, who's Mum was also given pads on Daresbury wing, so it seems this is a general practise on most wards catering for the elderly at this hospital

Surely it is a basic human right to be able to used the facilities on the ward, ie bed pans and commodes. Just because elderly patients tend to have mobility problems, it does not give a hospital the right to take away their dignity.

Responses

We'd like to look into this a bit more for you if possible as it's not a routine policy at all. Could you contact us via our PALS service at pals@whh.nhs.uk so we can get some more information from you on this and what you were told.